The Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWP) says while it is mindful that some students may be unable to return to classes on Monday, it is nonetheless moving towards having ‘face to face operations’ from that day.
The university was among institutions affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa last Tuesday that left 28 people dead and caused widespread damage and destruction, particular in the western section of the country.
According to a notice posted on its Facebook social media page, the university said that further to its October 26 advisory, the management of the campus met on October 29 following a preliminary assessment of the impact of Hurricane Melissa.
It said that efforts were being made towards the restoration of the campus to allow for the commencement of face-to-face operations on Monday, November 3, 2025, adding ‘consequently, we are advising students with accommodation at our Mona halls of residence that they may return.
‘We are mindful that some students may be unable to return on Monday, particularly those in Western Jamaica. Therefore, concurrent with face-to-face classes, lecturers will post course material on our learning management system so that affected students will be able to consume subsequently,’ it added.
The university said that with respect to operations at the Western Jamaica Campus, which was significantly impacted by the passing of the hurricane, the Campus Management has taken the decision to suspend all teaching and learning activities at that Campus until November 10, 2025.
‘Given the extent of the impact of the hurricane, we are mindful that it may take a little longer for those most impacted to re-engage. In such instances, students are encouraged to engage their lecturers and the Dean of their faculty for special consideration as required.’
But the Jamaica Observer newspaper reported that students were set to stage a peaceful sit-out Monday, in protest at the university’s decision to resume face-to-face classes.
In an open letter released on Sunday, a group of students called for a one-week suspension of academic activities, followed by the implementation of a mixed-modality learning framework to accommodate those still grappling with the storm’s aftermath.
The letter describes the university’s move as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘tone-deaf,’ noting that many students remain displaced, without access to basic utilities, and emotionally unprepared to resume studies.
In their letter, the students insist that their protest is an act of solidarity with peers from western Jamaica, one of the hardest-hit regions, where thousands remain in shelters and key hospitals have been rendered inoperable.
They noted that 25,000 people are currently displaced and at least 28 Jamaicans have died as a result of the hurricane, citing official statistics.
‘The university does not yet have the capacity to accurately identify how many of its own students are homeless, injured, trapped or God forbid have died,’ the letter stated, adding that the decision to reopen campus ‘prematurely’ ignores the physical and emotional toll of the disaster.
The students noted that other tertiary institutions like the University of Technology (UTech) has suspended face-to-face classes indefinitely and that UWI’s Western Jamaica Campus has delayed reopening by a week.
They also made reference to the mental strain facing many students, describing a ‘frozen mental and emotional state’ brought on by trauma and uncertainty.
‘To demand immediate academic participation amid such upheaval is not only imprudent but inhumane,’ they added in the statement.